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1. The prayer in the present letter petition sent by Dr. Saurabh Dev Pandey resident of 180/40, Thana Road, Bedhan, District Singrauli is for cancellation of allotment of Suliayari Coal Block to Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) at Singrauli.

2. The applicant has averred that Suliayari Coal Block has been allotted to Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) at Singrauli which has been reported to be 22nd most polluted area in the World. Establishment of Suliayari Coal Block will damage the agricultural lands of the applicant and many other farmers apart from damaging big land area of natural dense forest. About 20 lakh trees will be cut on the border of Suliayari Coal Block. These areas are adjoining to dense forest of Chhattisgarh which is rich habitat of hundreds of wild elephants and also an O. A. No. 315/2022 Saurabh Dev Pandey Vs. State of M.P. & Ors.

3.6 Thus, the notion of the complainant that trees, numbering 20 lacs will be fallen and cut, was not found to be correct during the inspection by the team and has been found to be highly exaggerated.

4 Elephant Movement and Corridor :

4.1 It is respectfully submitted that the working plan for this area was prepared way back in 2008. At that point in time, there would have been elephant movement in the area and provision had been made in the plan for conserving the elephant corridor.
4.2 However no movement of the elephant in the area has been noticed for the last 12-15 years by the forest department.

During inspection, the senior and aged villagers have reported that they have also not seen or heard of the elephant movement in the nearby areas for last many years. O. A. No. 315/2022 Saurabh Dev Pandey Vs. State of M.P. & Ors.

5- 4.3 A new working plan for this region is under preparation and the contention of the complainant that the project of the elephant has been shelved (ठं डे ब े मे डालिदया) is misconceived and unfounded.

Elephant movement in the area has not been noticed for the last 12-15 years. Hence there seems to be no perceivable threat to the "Elephant Corridor". Also a Wildlife Management Plan amounting to Rs 31.05 Cr has been approved by Chief Wildlife Warden, which is being implemented."
5. We have gone through the report. In the report, it has been mentioned that the mining site is away from Sanjay Tiger Reserve without giving the distance. Condition no. (xviii) in environmental clearance letter dated 12.04.2021 issued by Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Impact Forest Division reads as under:-